The Minot Environmental Policy Group invites local businesses and organizations to participate in the Sustainable Minot project that launched in May 2019.

“Environmental sustainability makes economic sense,” said group member Monica Peterson. “Waste and inefficiency cost money. We want to reward Minot businesses for setting long-term goals that save money, conserve resources and positively reflect the innovative and forward-looking nature of our community.”

The project is designed to be easy and self-directed. Participating businesses and organizations are required to submit three goals for the coming year that help them reduce trash, water consumption, energy consumption, food waste, vehicle emissions or other negative environmental impacts. Example actions include efficiency upgrades to lighting, reduction or elimination of single-use plastics and rethinking what is sent to the landfill or waterways.

In exchange for setting goals, participants will be presented with a certificate that has their business/organization names, their goals and the Sustainable Minot logo for display.

According to MEPG member Tim Baumann, “The strength of this program is that it is not one size fits all. Business and organization leaders are able to select the goals that work best for them and their customers, and our entire community becomes cleaner and saves money.”

Businesses and organizations interested in participating should direct their goals or questions to the Minot Environmental Policy Group at environmentminot@gmail.com.